by Ambrose Bierce 1889

Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.

This week in class, we’re reading "A Horseman in the Sky" by Ambrose Bierce.

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (1842 – c. 1914) was an American journalist, satirist, and short story writer. In this short story set during the American Civil War, a young Virginian man joins the Union Army and falls asleep on one of his watches. When he awakes, he faces a difficult duty.

As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Revenge & Betrayal and War & Peace as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :

"What drives a person to betray?" and "How are we changed by war?"

Ways to support your child:

  • Ask your child about this short story at home:
    • What was "A Horseman in the Sky" about?
    • What did you learn about Revenge & Betrayal?
    • What did you learn about War & Peace?
  • Watch Clip from "Glory" - The Battle of Antietam at home with your child.